NZ@Noon: Top regional stories online 13/3/12

A horror road smash involving young children, changes to the give way rule and an English tourist robbed at knifepoint are among the most read stories on APN regional web sites on Tuesday.

The most read story online from the Bay of Plenty TImes says a Te Puke family's joyous day has turned into a nightmare which is likely to last for weeks after a horror road smash. Two members of the Lints family remain in hospital, including 2 year old Aiden. In other news it says wiggling, white larvae and pantry moths are infesting kitchen cupboards across the Western Bay. It features a photo gallery of the Top 10 most expensive homes in the region.

Hamilton Live's most read story reveals the most dangerous road in the city, which is expected to become more dangerous when the new give way rule comes into force. It says the birth of a baby rhinoceros at Hamilton Zoo has zoo staff so ecstatic they nicknamed her "Happy".

The Rotorua Daily Post most read story says the mother of 1-year-old child who fell off a car bonnet has pleaded guilty to a charge of wilful neglect. It says Chiefs and All Blacks first five-eighth Aaron Cruden has re-signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union and the Chiefs franchise. And it says a Rotorua man is in intensive care after he threw petrol on a fire.

The Wanganui Chronicle most read story says one major rural insurance company alone has received claims for more than $3.5 million in damages from the weather bomb earlier this month. Editor Ross Pringle writes there are signs Wanganui is moving up in the world. And it says around 150 Powerco consumers are still without power, nine days after the weather bomb.

A local businessman pledging half a million dollars in support of redevelopment of the mothballed Marineland is the most popular story on Hawke's Bay Today's web site. It features a photo gallery of the 2012 Tremain's Corporate Triathlon. It says Napier police have been left applauding the public for the second time in a week after the arrest of three men who targeted the Napier South area last Friday.

The most read story on the Wairarapa Times Age says the death of a motorcyclist during the annual Cliffhanger Hillclimb near Gladstone is the first fatality in more than a decade of competition. It other news it says getting a cannabis plant for Christmas cost the recipient more than $400 after it was spotted by a police officer. Editor Heather McCracken is getting nervous about the impending change to give-way rule.

The most popular story on the Star Canterbury web site says another out-of-town contractor has been charged with stealing from the central city's red-zone. Columnist Anna Turner is trying to accept her diminishing youth- even though she's only 22.

The most read story on the Oamaru Mail says Oamaru's emerging business leaders are joining forces to create a networking group aimed at keeping young people living and working in the region. It features a photo gallery of the Oamerican Car Show 2012.